Positive grip fingers in a peristaltic pump

ABSTRACT

A method for enhancing peristaltic pumping in a tube type infusion pump is provided. The method includes providing an adhesion region on a pumping finger of an infusion pump for creating an adhesion between the pumping finger and a pumping segment of the infusion pump such that when the pumping finger is moved from an occluded position to an initial position the adhesion forcibly restores the pumping segment from an occluded state to a non occluded state.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to medical equipment. More particularly,the invention relates to medical pumps.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Peristaltic pumps are positive displacement pumps whereby a mechanicalforce is applied to a flexible pumping portion to move fluid in a lineardirection. As the force is applied, the pumping portion closes oroccludes forcing fluid to be pumped through. As the force is removed,the pumping portion opens and fluid re-enters the pumping portion.

Many times, the inner walls of the pumping portion become stuck togetherand the opening remains partially or fully occluded after the force isremoved. The occluded line restricts or stops flow of fluids to thepatient and reduces the functionality of the pump.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention include a method for enhancingperistaltic pumping in a tube type infusion pump. The method includesproviding an adhesion region on a pumping finger of an infusion pump forcreating an adhesion between the pumping finger and a pumping segment ofthe infusion pump such that when the pumping finger is moved from anoccluded position to an initial position the adhesion forcibly restoresthe pumping segment from an occluded state to a non occluded state.

Embodiments of the present invention also include a peristaltic pumpcomprising a plurality of pumping fingers for pumping fluid in a lineardirection through a pumping segment of a line set, an adhesion region onone of the plurality of pumping fingers for creating an adhesion betweenthe pumping finger and the pumping segment such that when the pumpingfinger is moved from an occluded position to an initial position theadhesion forcibly restores the pumping segment from an occluded state toa non occluded state.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features, objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome more apparent from the detailed description set forth below whentaken in conjunction with the drawings in which like references identifycorrespondingly throughout, and wherein:

FIG. 1A shows a portion of a peristaltic pump with a positive grippumping finger in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1B shows a cross section of a portion of a peristaltic pump with apositive grip pumping finger in accordance with embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 shows a vacuum source coupled with a pumping finger of aperistaltic pump in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary line set with an exemplary pumping portion foruse in a positive grip peristaltic pump in accordance with embodimentsof the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method for positive gripperistaltic pumping in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Certain embodiments of the invention will now be described in detailwith reference to the figures.

FIG. 1A shows a portion of a peristaltic pump 100 with pumping fingers110A and 1108. It is appreciated that FIG. 1A shows in inside view ofpump 100 and that a front cover portion of pump 100 is omitted from thefigure. The front cover includes mating surfaces for pumping fingers110A and 1108 such that when pumping finger 110A is moved from aninitial position to an initiated position, pumping portion 190 becomesoccluded by the finger and the opposing mating surface. When pumpingfinger 1108 is moved from an initial position to an initiated position,pumping portion 190 becomes occluded by the finger and the opposingmating surface. activating the fingers 110A and 1108 in a predeterminedsequence pumps fluid in direction 160.

In one embodiment, pumping fingers 110A and 1108 comprise adhesionregion 199 that provides a positive grip between the pumping fingers110A and 1108 and the pumping portion 190 of the lumen. The adhesionregion 199 pulls the lumen from an occluded state back to an initialrestored state. In one embodiment, the adhesion region 199 comprises avacuum source (not shown) that provides suction between the pumpingregion 190 and the pumping fingers 110A and 1108.

FIG. 1B shows a cross section of peristaltic pump 100 with a positivegrip pumping finger (finger 110C) in accordance with embodiments of thepresent invention. Embodiments of the present invention include pumpfingers 110A-110D that can provide an adhesion between the fingers110A-110D and the pumping portion 190. In one embodiment, pumpingportion 190 is part of a disposable line set. In one embodiment, anyportion of a lumen can be used as a pumping portion of a peristalticpump with the positive griping fingers of the present invention.

The pumping portion 190 has an inner surface 192 and an outer surface191 of the tubing. Fluid flows in direction 160 through the pumpingportion 190. In conventional peristaltic pumps, the inner surface 192 ofthe pumping segment can stick together and occlude the pumping portion190 after the finger 110C is retracted to initial position 150 fromoccluded or extended position 160.

Embodiments of the present invention prevent line occlusion and linesticking of conventional peristaltic pumps by providing an adhesionregion 199 that adheres the outer surface 191 of the pumping segment 190to the pumping finger 110C such that when the pumping finger 110C ismoved from the extended position 160 to the initial position 150, theadhesion of the outer surface 191 of the pumping portion 190 with thepumping finger 110C creates a pulling force that restores the pumpingsegment to a non occluded state.

In one embodiment, the adhesion region 199 is created by a vacuum source(not shown) that can be disposed at the tip of pump finger 110C. In oneembodiment, a vacuum line passes through the pumping finger and isdisposed in a location to create adhesion between the pumping finger andthe pumping portion 190.

In another embodiment, an adhesive material (disposed at region 199) isused to provide adhesion of pump finger 110C to pumping portion 190.

In one embodiment, each of fingers 110A-110D comprises an adhesionregion 199. However, it is appreciated that any number of configurationscan be used in accordance with the present invention where one or moreadhesion regions can be used at any one finger. It is also appreciatedthat in one embodiment, one or more fingers may not have an adhesionregion 199.

In one embodiment, the pumping segment 190 maintains contact with thepumping fingers throughout the entire pumping cycle. For example, thepump segment 190 contacts finger 110C from the occluded state 160 to theinitial or non-occluded state 150. In one embodiment, the fill cycle ofthe pump can be controlled by changing how quickly the tube is restoredfrom the occluded state to the non-occluded state. In one embodiment,the rate of occlusion of the line portion is determined by the positionof the pump finger 110C.

FIG. 2 shows a vacuum source 205 coupled with a pumping finger 110 of aperistaltic pump in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention. A vacuum line 299 couples vacuum source 205 to the adhesionregion 199 that adheres the pumping finger 110 to the pumping segment190 of the peristaltic pump. In one embodiment, the vacuum source 205applies a constant vacuum force at adhesion region 199. However, it isalso appreciated that vacuum source 205 can be configured to selectivelyprovided vacuum at location 199, such as only when the pumping fingermoves from an occluded state to an initial state, for example.

In one embodiment, vacuum line 299 includes a separate portion thatpasses through pump finger 110. In this embodiment, this portion of theline is permanent and can be made of a non-disposable material, such asstainless steel.

In one embodiment, the pumping portion 190 is part of a disposable lineset that can be installed into the peristaltic pump.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary line set 300 comprising lumen 350 and pumpingportion 190. In one embodiment, the line set 190 is configured for usein the positive grip peristaltic pump of the present invention. In oneembodiment, the pumping portion 190 of line set 300 is configured toadhere to a pumping finger of the positive grip peristaltic pump of thepresent invention. In one embodiment, line set 300 is disposable. Inanother embodiment, line set 300 is made from a single line wherebypumping portion 190 comprises the same material as lumen 350. In anotherembodiment, pumping portion 190 is separable from lumen 350.

It is appreciated that the pumping portion 190 can be any portion ofline set 300.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method 400 for positive gripperistaltic pumping in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention.

At 402, 400 includes moving a pumping finger from an initial position toan extended position to occlude a portion of a pumping segment of aninfusion pump. It is appreciated that adhesion between the pumpingfinger and the pump segment may or may not occur at 402.

At 404, 400 includes removably coupling the pumping finger of theinfusion pump to the pumping segment of the infusion pump at theoccluded portion of the pumping segment. It is appreciated that thecoupling of the pump finger with the pumping segment can occur at anypoint in process 400, whether the pumping fingers move to create flow offluid in the tubing.

In one embodiment, the steps of 400 can occur in any order. For example,in one embodiment, 404 is performed prior to 402. In another embodiment,402 and 404 are performed simultaneously.

At 406, 400 includes such that when the pumping finger is moved from theextended position to the initial position, the coupling between thepumping segment and the pumping finger forcibly restores the pumpingsegment to a non occluded state.

In one embodiment, the coupling of the pumping finger with the pumpingsegment includes applying a vacuum source to the pumping segment. In oneembodiment, the coupling between the pumping segment and the pumpingfinger is maintained through steps 402, 404, and 406.

In one embodiment, the coupling of the pumping finger with the pumpingsegment includes applying an adhesive material between the pumpingsegment and the pumping finger.

CONCLUSION

Thus, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the positive grippump fingers of the present invention reduces lumen occlusion, improvespatient safety and reduces costs.

One skilled in the art will appreciate that the positive grip pumpfingers may be adapted to carry out the objects and obtain the ends andadvantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The methods,procedures, and devices described herein are presently representative ofembodiments and are exemplary and are not intended as limitations on thescope of the invention. Changes therein and other uses will occur tothose skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of theinvention and are defined by the scope of the disclosure.

It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that varying substitutionsand modifications may be made to the invention disclosed herein withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Those skilled in the art recognize that the aspects and embodiments ofthe invention set forth herein may be practiced separate from each otheror in conjunction with each other. Therefore, combinations of separateembodiments are within the scope of the invention as disclosed herein.

The invention illustratively described herein suitably may be practicedin the absence of any element or elements, limitation or limitationswhich is not specifically disclosed herein. Thus, for example, in eachinstance herein any of the terms “comprising”, “consisting essentiallyof” and “consisting of” may be replaced with either of the other twoterms. The terms and expressions which have been employed are used asterms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intentionthat in the use of such terms and expressions indicates the exclusion ofequivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof. Itis recognized that various modifications are possible within the scopeof the invention disclosed. Thus, it should be understood that althoughthe present invention has been specifically disclosed by embodiments andoptional features, modification and variation of the concepts hereindisclosed may be resorted to by those skilled in the art, and that suchmodifications and variations are considered to be within the scope ofthis invention as defined by the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for positive grip peristaltic pumping ina tube type infusion pump, said method comprising: providing an adhesionregion on a pumping finger of said infusion pump for creating anadhesion between said pumping finger and a pumping segment of saidinfusion pump; and such that when said pumping finger is moved from anoccluded position to an initial position said adhesion forcibly restoressaid pumping segment from an occluded state to a non occluded state. 2.The method of claim 1 further comprising: coupling an infusion line setwith said infusion pump wherein said infusion set comprising saidpumping segment.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein said adhesion regioncomprises a vacuum source.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein saidadhesion pulls on an outer surface of said pumping segment to restoresaid pumping segment from said occluded state to said non occludedstate.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein said providing an adhesionregion comprises: applying an adhesive between said pumping segment andsaid pumping finger.
 6. A method for positive grip peristaltic pumpingin a tube type infusion pump, said method comprising: moving a pumpingfinger from an initial position to an extended position to occlude aportion of a pumping segment of said infusion pump; removably couplingsaid pumping finger of said infusion pump to said pumping segment ofsaid infusion pump at said occluded portion of said pumping segment; andsuch that when said pumping finger is moved from said extended positionto said initial position, said coupling forcibly restores said pumpingsegment to a non occluded state.
 7. The method of claim 6 wherein saidremovably coupling comprises: applying a vacuum force to couple saidpumping segment to said pumping segment.
 8. The method of claim 6wherein said removably coupling comprises: applying an adhesive betweensaid pumping segment and said pumping finger.
 9. The method of claim 6further comprising: coupling an infusion line set with said infusionpump wherein said infusion set comprising said pumping segment.
 10. Themethod of claim 1 wherein said adhesion pulls on an outer surface ofsaid pumping segment to restore said pumping segment from said occludedstate to said non occluded state.
 11. A positive grip peristaltic pumpcomprising: a pump comprising a plurality of pumping fingers for pumpingfluid in a linear direction through a pumping segment of a line set; anadhesion region on one of said plurality of pumping fingers for creatingan adhesion between said pumping finger and said pumping segment; andsuch that when said pumping finger is moved from an occluded position toan initial position said adhesion forcibly restores said pumping segmentfrom an occluded state to a non occluded state.
 12. The positive gripperistaltic pump of claim 11 wherein said adhesion region comprises avacuum force.
 13. The positive grip peristaltic pump of claim 11 whereinsaid adhesion region comprises an adhesive.
 14. The positive gripperistaltic pump of claim 11 wherein said pumping finger comprises avacuum source.
 15. A line set for use in a peristaltic pump comprising:one or more lines configured for administering fluids to a patient; oneor more pumping segments coupled with said lines configured to adhere toan adhesion region on a pumping finger of an infusion pump such thatwhen said pumping finger is moved from an occluded position to aninitial position said adhesion forcibly restores said pumping segmentfrom an occluded state to a non occluded state.
 16. The line set ofclaim 15 wherein said pumping segment is configured to adhere to avacuum source of said pumping finger.